I had this really fun discussion with longtime friend and musical troublemaker Abe Abdelhadi, wherein we liken leaving religion to death by a thousand paper cuts while increasing compassion for those we strongly disagree with. We also consider the critically important ways to sprinkle correctly pigeon blood while asking, “This is the book we get?!” Continue reading
MySpace was still a thing in July, 2009 when I received a request for an online interview. I was in a very strange and transitional place. My Christian house of cards had suddenly fallen and I had just realized that I could no longer consider myself a believer in any meaningful sense although I still had questions; lots of questions. I had told nobody about my current thinking. Continue reading
In which I am alleged to have pissed all over someone’s life-sustaining memories. Continue reading
I get questions quite often wondering in some sense or another if I have traded in one religion for another, if dismissal of unfounded beliefs is not itself a type of religion. Continue reading
There has been an awful lot written lately about American Evangelicalism and the current political landscape. Not only is America deeply divided, but that divide cuts deeply through American Christianity as well. Continue reading
A few weeks ago I had an interesting conversation with Steve Hackman for his podcast series, Beyond the Pale. Steve identifies as a Christian, although certainly not your garden variety Evangelical, with open, inclusive, thoughtful questions. Continue reading
Dear Dayton Church of the Brethren,
Hello, I am your neighbor. I live not far from your church, which sits on the main road in to our small town. I drive by your building multiple times a day. I see your billboards (both of them; one in front of the church, and this one which sits behind the church along the main highway that borders our town). Continue reading
This meme posted by the United Church of Christ, based on a quote by Elie Wiesel (US News & World Report, October 27, 1986) has shown up in a few news feed posts of late. The complete quote: Continue reading
I love the YMCA. I love supporting them and their commitments to fitness, healthy living and social responsibility.They do great work. I used to enroll my kids in many of their programs. It is a Christian organization and yet it is inclusive with regard to sexual orientation and also actively cultivates diversity. I travel often and I almost always grab a temporary membership wherever I go so I don’t have to interrupt my workout routine. I am working out at the Y just outside of Portland, Oregon this week and they have little posters all around the place that put forth their vision and mission statements. Continue reading
Ojo, a while back you asked why believers would try to get you to return to the faith. I think this quote from Charles Spurgeon encapsulates the feelings of many of us. It does come from a good place znd [sic] not from a place of judgement or condemnation or even a feeling of spiritual superiority. God bless you my good friend! Continue reading
